show bull

Help Support Steer Planet:

pigguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
662
Location
kansas
ok i am going to be gettin a bull to show and i was wondering what i should feed him. Would a 14 % protien and 4% fat be good? or a 13% protien and 3% fat? or a 20% range cube with 4% fat? :)))
 

pigguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
662
Location
kansas
or what percentage of protein and fat should i give him? is there anything i shouldnt feed him? grow n shine?
 

ROAD WARRIOR

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
1,865
Location
Iowa
M12 - what is the age of you bull? a just weanede calf will require different levels than a yearling or 2 year old bull. Also it depends on his body type - is he moderately framed and an easy keeper or a calf with more frame that could use a more caloric intense diet?
 

pigguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
662
Location
kansas
he would be born between 10/06 -5/07 so they will be weaned haven't deicded which bull but they should be weaned
 

ROAD WARRIOR

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
1,865
Location
Iowa
For the younger calves I like a 12 to 14 % protien. If you are concerned that they may be larger than you like frame you can lower the protien level. I'm assuming that you don't have the calf in your possession yet, try to find out what feed he has been on at the breeders farm and transition him slowly over to your own feed. I would introduce the fat content VERY gradually, a little patience here will pay off big in the long run. Personally I like to grow my calves at this age so I feed a 14% ration that is pretty high in fiber with moderate amount of energy until they are 9 - 10 months old and then gradually lower the protien and increase the caloric intake as they get older.
 

cattlechick

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
163
So when lowering the protein to slow the grow, then changing the feed a bit for higher calorie intake, do u mean to lower the protein and increase the fat like a grower to a finisher?
 

pigguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
662
Location
kansas
no we do not have him yet. right now im feeding all my heifers a 14% protein and 4% fat pelleted feed, with beet pulp.... but i can also get a performance bull feed from sunglo for 7.25 a bag and it is a 13% protein and 3% fat and is medicated with monensin for coccidia. and it will gain about 4 lbs a day, without high grain levels, and other associated health risks
 

ROAD WARRIOR

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
1,865
Location
Iowa
cattlechick said:
So when lowering the protein to slow the grow, then changing the feed a bit for higher calorie intake, do u mean to lower the protein and increase the fat like a grower to a finisher?

Higher protien will promote frame growth. Slowely increasing the caloric intake of the calf while decreasing the % of protien level will increase the amount of cover or finish on the animal. So yes - go from a growing ration to a finishing ration, I mix my own feed so I can change my ration at any time that I see fit and "tinker" with it on a day to day basis as neccessary. It has been my experience that sudden changes in feed rations are generally not good as it can upset the rumen of the calves and throw them off feed.
 
Top